Is independent, unsigned, and underground metal what you seek? Weary traveler of the metal world, rest here a while. Clandestine Cuts are the best demos and EPs from these bands, the heart and soul of metal music. These musicians are slaves to their passions, and their blood keeps the metal machine alive and turning. Support them with a simple listen, and discover the future.

Metal Storm users: you can vote in the poll below to choose your favorite demo/EP of the issue. The winners each year are nominated in our annual Metal Storm Awards so exercise your rights: this is the one category chosen completely by YOU the readers. Make sure your favorite independent metal is recognized each year!

(Think your band has what it takes to be featured in the Cuts? Email demos@metalstorm.net to submit your music.)

In the mood for some instrumental sludge doom experience? These captivating sounds are coming straight from the heart of UK, offering exceptional well executed (mainly) mid-paced sludge doom, with some rare stoner passages here and there. Tectonic Oblivion consists of many original and profoundly sounding riffs, which vary greatly within each track and will drag you into one hell of a journey. These are complemented and escorted by deeply penetrating oppressive bass. In this case, the music speaks for itself, literally. Megalodoom at your service.

Kylfingar stand as one of the many bands following the path that acts as Ensiferum or Finntroll have shown for years, and they do it quite well. Észak Népe is a classic viking folk metal output, following every cliché of this genre, from the harsh, wild screams mixed with epic, clean choirs to the juxtaposition of modern instruments and folky tunes. The songs flow with ease and reassuring predictability, with few outstanding moments but positively steady in quality. Even if they should feel the urge of finding their own personal sound to distinguish themselves from the thousands of Korpiklaani out there, Kylfingar could actually be something.

An up-and-coming band from Dubai - an overpopulated city underrepresented in the metal scene - Svengali follow a pretty familiar formula with their brand of melodic metalcore. They cite Killswitch Engage and Hatebreed as two major influences and rightly so, combining the melancholy and melody of the former with the speed and aggression of the latter. The clean vocals leave a lot to be desired, but on the whole this is a well-executed slab of modern metal.

Featuring members of great bands such as Light Bearer & Monuments Collapse, Anopheli instantly piqued my interest with its strong pedigree and after giving their first EP a spin, it more than lives up to those expectations as they attack your senses with their brand of Cello infused Crust/Sludge/Doom goodness. Rather than just being a gimmick, the cello is used to great affect here as it provides a soulful melody to counter the chaotic aggression going on around it. In that sense it reminds me of Dead To A Dying World, which is never a bad thing.

Whetstone's music is enticing. They manage to find that sweet spot of melodic exuberance but they do it with simplicity. The London-based band takes hints from melodic death metal (Dark Tranquillity and Insomnium) to construct their harmonious sound and focuses on building intensity peaks during the three songs which comprise the EP. The title track is especially brilliant and seems to be the song where their sound is fully realized. Despite some unpolished details, expect vivid melodies that form, expand and assume different shapes, keeping you interested throughout the entire excursion.

Modern djent/progressive metal bands are a dime a dozen nowadays which can make it hard for a young band to stand out amongst their peers. While Croatia's The Ralph don't necessarily bring anything new to the table in terms of technicality or trying to push the boundaries with their sound, what they have done instead is focused on their great song writing ability to produce epic sounding melodies that keep you interested & coming back for more.

Anopheli was certainly interesting. It made me think of Hevein, but obviously going for sludge instead of thrash. I also thought The Ralph was decent, and Whetstone had some bright spots. However, I'm a sucker for the epic stuff, so, despite how clichéd it was, I'm going for Kylfingar.

Whetstone by a fair margin. Anopheli used a cello in a very interesting way and the accompanying instrumental performances were amazing, but the male vocalist definitely lets the band down, in my opinion.

Quite a good issue. Anopheli sound interesting, Whetstone is also not bad, given that nowadays most of the melodeath bands only make me yawn, and I remember The Ralph from one of the old Clandestine Cuts - good band. Still my vote goes to Megalodoom. I'm a lot into sludge and stoner lately and these guys write some great music.